TN Public College Tuition Increasingly Varied By Campus

John Morgan is chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents system, which governs six campuses as well as the state’s community colleges. Over time, tuition at each university varies by campus. Credit: TN Photo Services via Flickr

How much it costs for students to attend a public college in Tennessee depends more and more on the individual campus. The state’s largest public college system is now approving tuition levels school-by-school.

In 2010, the difference in attending any of the six Board of Regents campuses was just a couple hundred dollars. Tuition increases were generally across the board – but not any more. This fall, East Tennessee State University is raising tuition and fees by nearly $550, while Tennessee State is keeping the increase to just $72.

TBR chancellor John Morgan says TSU could use more money, but the financially strapped school also can’t afford to run off students.

“They really felt like it was important to hold the line the best they could on tuition. They serve a clientele that tends to come from lower income households. So the price sensitivity there is quite a bit different than it might be at some other institution.”

Tuition and fees at University of Memphis are a full $2,000 more than TSU. Not far behind is MTSU at $7,800 a year.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville – which is a separate college system – continues to be the most expensive public school in the state at more than $11,000.